Do follicular fluid advanced glycation end products levels affect the ovarian response in unexplained infertility?

Objective: To compare the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels in follicular fluid according to the different ovarian responses of women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation due to unexplained infertility and to examine the relationship between these levels and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Sixty-three women who underwent fresh IVF/ICSI cycles with GNRH antagonist protocol were divided into 3 groups according to the number of retrieved oocytes as suboptimal (4–9 oocytes), optimal (10–15 oocytes) and high (>15 oocytes) responders. AGEs levels in follicular fluid were measured by ELISA method. Results: AGEs levels were 6.81 ± 2.20 mg/ml, 5.30 ± 2.01 and 6.44 ± 1.43 mg/ml in suboptimal, optimal and high response group, respectively. AGEs level was significantly higher in suboptimal response group than in optimal response group. The cutoff level of 6.19 mg/ml had a sensitivity of 59.3% and a specificity of 66.7% in distinguishing the suboptimal response group from the optimal response group. However, there were no statistically significant difference between AGEs levels and clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Conclusion: Increased AGEs level in follicular fluid may be associated with decreased ovarian response during controlled ovarian stimulation in unexplained infertility case, however, it does not provide information about pregnancy outcomes

Relationships between Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward the Nursing Profession, Fear of COVID-19, and Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Nursing students were caught unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the inability to control the epidemic and the interruption of education caused students to experience fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This study investigates the relationships between nursing students’ attitudes toward the nursing profession and their fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 727 nursing students who were members of the Student Nurses Association and who volunteered to participate in the research. Research data were collected using the Student Information Form, The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), and the Attitudes Towards Nursing Profession Scale. Results: Statistically significant positive relationships were found between the fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty levels (p < 0.01) and attitudes toward the nursing profession in general (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Students had a mid-level of fear of COVID-19, a high level of intolerance of uncertainty, and positive attitudes toward the nursing profession. To decrease nursing students’ intolerance of uncertainty during pandemic-like crisis situations, preventive and reformative activities should be planned

Is Multiparity in Adolescent Pregnancies Associated with Adverse Outcome?

Objective: Aim of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes between adolescent multiparas and adults. Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included over 11 years and singleton multiparous pregnancies from women less than 29 years admitted for delivery after 22nd gestational weeks in tertiary educational hospital. All of patients were divided into two groups as adolescent multipara (under 18 years) and control (19-29 years). Pregnancy outcome and perinatal complications were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U-test, Independent sample t test, Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher Exact test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Gestational week at delivery was significantly lower in adolescent multipara group (38.37 ± 2.17) than control group (38.79 ± 1.684) (p=0.014). Preterm birth rate (12.6%) and postpartum hemorrhage (5.7%) were higher in the adolescent multipara group than in controls as to be statistically significant. The cesarean delivery rate and other pregnancy complications such as diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, and placental abruption were similar with controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, adolescent multipara pregnancies were associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, in particular preterm birth, lower birthweight and postpartum hemorrhage

Visfatin, Leptin, and TNF-alpha: Interrelated Adipokines in Insulin-Resistant Clinical and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Purpose. This study is designed to evaluate the interrelationships among adipokines-visfatin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)- and insulin resistance (IR) in overt (n = 40) and subclinic hypothyroid (n = 25) patients and compare our findings with sex and body mass index-matched healthy controls (n = 25). Methods. Serum visfatin, leptin, and TNF-alpha levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and C-reactive protein by immunoturbidimetry. Thyroid status (TSH, FT3, FT4) and lipid status (triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol) parameters were measured. IR was determined by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) and McAuley (McA) indices. Results. HOMA-IR (p < 0.05) and McA indices (p < 0.01) revealed the presence of IR in overt hypothyroid patients. C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, leptin, and visfatin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001) in overt hypothyroid patients than euthyroid control group. Subclinic hypothyroid patients were observed to have significantly higher leptin and visfatin levels (p < 0.05) than euthyroid control group. In overt hypothyroid patients, we found plasma visfatin to be significantly positively correlated with HOMA-IR index (r = 0.336, p < 0.05) and body mass index (r = 0.445, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with McA index (r = -0.574, p < 0.01). Conclusion. This study demonstrates the presence of IR in overt hypothyroid patients by HOMA and McA indices. Increased levels of visfatin, leptin, and TNF-alpha in overt and subclinic hypothyroid patients and the correlations among these adipokines highlighten their crucial role in the IR-associated disorders

Osteoprotegerin, leptin and IL-6: Association with silent myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetic patients often exhibit severe, asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between osteoprotegerin (OPG), inflammatory markers and silent myocardial ischemia remains to be elucidated. Methods: We recruited 45 type 2 diabetic patients and 33 healthy controls and assessed them for silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) by myocardial perfusion imaging. Patient blood was tested for OPG, IL-6 and leptin concentrations. Results: OPG, leptin and IL-6 levels were found significantly elevated in diabetic patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Based on our classification of presence/absence of SMI in our diabetic group, we found that there was a significant association between SMI and the biomarkers IL-6 (p <0.001), leptin (p<0.001) and OPG (p <0.05). In multivariate regression analyses, OPG was found to be significantly related to diabetes mellitus and to SMI. Age, sex and smoking increased the association between OPG and SMI

Osteoprotegerin, leptin and IL-6: Association with silent myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetic patients often exhibit severe, asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between osteoprotegerin (OPG), inflammatory markers and silent myocardial ischemia remains to be elucidated. Methods: We recruited 45 type 2 diabetic patients and 33 healthy controls and assessed them for silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) by myocardial perfusion imaging. Patient blood was tested for OPG, IL-6 and leptin concentrations. Results: OPG, leptin and IL-6 levels were found significantly elevated in diabetic patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Based on our classification of presence/absence of SMI in our diabetic group, we found that there was a significant association between SMI and the biomarkers IL-6 (p <0.001), leptin (p<0.001) and OPG (p <0.05). In multivariate regression analyses, OPG was found to be significantly related to diabetes mellitus and to SMI. Age, sex and smoking increased the association between OPG and SMI. Conclusion: High OPG, leptin and IL-6 levels are associated with the presence and severity of SMI in type 2 diabetic patients

The Effectiveness Of Biopsychosocial Exercise Program On Pain Coping In Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis And Fibromyalgia

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The Effect Of The Biopsychosocial Exercise Program On Pain Coping Skill And Fatigue In Rheumatic Diseases

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The Investigation Of The Relationship Between Psychosocial Status Of Children With Jia And Parents

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